Battery filler



Feb. 24, 1942. I F. ALTMAYER 2,

' BATTERY FILLER Filed Oct. 5, 1959 2 Sheets-Shet 1 M '5 5 LP unr ur -19 l i I 9-" 59 1,5 1s: :1 1 47 44-. b I 45, I [l 1 12 42 I] I I Ill //I 5: '40 40 1 7 41 47 40 1 5 55.1

' IN VENTOR. I19NK 6 4 r m nae ATToRNEYfi Feb.24,"l942. FIALTMAYER 2,

BATTERY FILLER Filed Oct. 5, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. fisw/r /71. TM reg f f f ATTQRNEYS manner well known in the art.

Patented Feb. 24, 1942 I BATTERY man Frank Altmayer, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Willard Storage Battery Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of West Virginia Application October 5, 1939, Serial No. 298,120

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in battery filling systems such' as used infllling batteries of the lead-acid type with electrolyte and more particularly to improvements in the construction of a battery filler head set to be used with a vacuum filling system. v

The ordinary vacuum filling system comprises a vacuum cup, a reservoir containing liquid, ,such as electrolyte, an overflow collection jar set, a filler head set, and the necessary flexible tubing connecting the various units of the system in a The object of the present invention the provision of a novel improved filler head set for use in a system of the character referred to above, which is adjustable for different size batteries and different type cell covers.

The present invention resides in certain details of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates from the following description of the preferred embodiment thereof described with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a battery filler head embodying'the present invention in position upon a battery shown in section on the center line of the filler holes and comprising new type cell covers having the vent openings for the cells in bosses located to one side of and in front of the bosses having the filling holes therein; ,Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the filler head shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is 'a rear elevational view of the filler head shown in the'preceding figures with portions in section; v

Fig. 4 is an end view of the filler head shown in the preceding figures;

Fig.5 is a section on the line '5--5 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 showsa filler head embodying the present invention in position upon a battery of the lead-acid type, designated generally by'the reference character A, and comprising cell covers ID. The battery is shown in section on the center line of the filler hole openings ll surrounded by bosses l2. The vent openings I3 forthe cells, see Fig, 6, are

are located at one side of and in front of the bosses l2 surrounding the filling holes l l. The filling holes II are internally threaded for the reception of suitable caps to close the same in a manner well known in the art.

The filler head member or frame comprises ,a body portion B and a plurality of nozzle assemblies, in the present instance three, designated C, D and E, detachably secured to the body portion B. The bodyv portion B is preferably built up of transparent sheet material, such as Celluloid, and has two chambers l5 and i6 one located above the other. The upper chamber I5 is adapted to be connected. to the vacuum-pump through the overflow collecting jarset, neither of which is shown, by flexible tubing I'l connected 7 ,to a nipple l8secured to and projecting from the rear side or plate I9 of the body portion of the filler head. The lower chamber I6 is adapted to be connected to'a liquid reservoir, not shown, by flexible tubing 20' connected toa nipple 2| also securedto and projecting from the rear side of. the body portion of the filler head below'the nipple I8. The body portion of the filler head is provided with a handle, designated generally by the reference character 22, to facilitate manipulation thereof. 'Ihe handle 22 is provided/with a vent opening communicating with the liquid chamber IS in the form of a tubular member-23 having a bore 24 extending therethrough, the upper reduced end of which tubular member extends through the handle 22 while the lower reduced end thereof extends through the top plate 25' of the body portion B, the chamber l5, and the partitions 26 and 2.1 forming the bottom and top walls of I the chambers, l5 and 16, respectively. The tubular member 23 has threaded engagement with the partitions 26'a'nd 21 which prevents leakage of air or liquid therethrough. The

- 1 construction is such that the bore 24 of the memformed in bosses l4 shbwn in dot-dash lines in Fig. 1. As viewed in this figure the bosses H be! 23 can be readily closed by the operator by merely placinghis thumb over the same;

Communication is adapted to be established between the chambers 15 and I6 and the interior of the 1battery by the nozzle assemblies C, 13 and E whic' are adjustable relative to each other to accommodate different size batteries, thus avoiding thenecessity of having a different filler head for each size of battery passing the filling machine. f

The preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings is especially adapted for filling batteries having three cells and the central nozzle assembly D is fixed relative to the body portion of the filler head while the end nozzle assemblies C and E are adjustable relative thereto. The nozzle assemblies are preferably made of built-up material similar to the body portion. Each nozzle assembly includes a sheet or member 30 through the medium of which the nozzle assembly is secured to the body portion and has upper and lower chambers 3| and 32, respectively, adapted to be connected to or to communicate with the inside of the battery cell through the medium of tubes or nozzles 33 and 34 one within the other. The inner tube 33 communicates with the upper chamber 3| and the outer tube 34 wtih the lower chamber 32. When the nozzle assemblies are assembled with the body portion, the chambers 3| and 32 are connected to the chambers l and I6, respectively, of the body portion B by suitable apertures 35 and 36 in the' member 30 which align with suitable apertures 31 and 38 in the front sheet or member 39 of the body portion. The end apertures 31 and 38 are elongated so as to permit adjustment of the end nozzle assemblies C and E.

The central nozzle assembly D is secured in fixed relation to the body portion B of the filler head by a plurality of bolts 40 and the end noz= zle assemblies C and E are adjustably secured to the body portion B. by bolts 4|. The bolts 40 and 4| project through suitable openings in the body portion B between the upper and lower chambers I5 and I6 and the bolts 4| are provided with wing nuts 42 at therear of the body portion to facilitate loosening thereof for adjusting the nozzle assemblies. Suitable gaskets 45 and 43 made of rubber or the like are positioned between the rear. members 30 of the nozzle assemblies and the front member 39 of. the body portion of the filler head to prevent leakage of the electrolyte "erably made of gum rubber and comprising a collar provided with a thin flexible skirt or flange 48 extending outwardly and downwardly and of sufilcient diameter to close the filling opening through which the respective nozzles project when the filler head is in position on the battery.

The seals 41 are held in position on the tubes 34 by their snug flexible fit and are slidable therealong for adjustment purposes. Because of the flexibility of their circularly shaped flanges 48, the seals 41 make a yielding contact with the top of the bosses |2 surrounding the filling openings and any unevenness of the covers, etc.. does not affect the closing of the filling openings. The seals are also effected without the application of pressure because the vacuum subsequently produced in the cells pulls the seals down into tight contact with the upper edge of the bosses l2. In addition to closing the filling openings the seals 41 determine the vertical position of the filler headset upon the battery and in turn the level to which the cells are filled. Adjustment washers 49 of horseshoe design are provided above the seals 41 for positively limiting their vertical movement along the nozzles in an upward direction so that the seals can be positively adjusted to fill the cells to the correct level. The cells can be filled to different levels by substituting larger or smaller washers. etc.

In operation, the vacuum pump withdraws air from the upper chambers l5 and 3|, thus pro- 'cell covers.

ducing a vacuum in the battery cells. When the vent opening 24 in the tubular member 23 is closed by the operator placing his thumb over the same, liquid or electrolyte is drawn from the liquid reservoir into the lower chambers l6 and 32 and in turn into the battery cells. When the height of the liquid in the cells reaches the lower ends of the stems or tubes 33 and 34, it can rise no farther as continued filling results in the excess liquid being drawn ofi into the overflow collecting jar set, When the operator observes that the cells are full, he removes his thumb from the opening 24 thereby breaking the vacuum in the cells and stopping the flow of liquid from the reservoir. .Part of the liquid remaining in the lower chambers I6 and 32 at the time the vacuum is broken is syphoned back into the reservoir and the remainder fiows into the cells where it is drawn up to the overflow jar set, and the filler head set may be removed from the battery without drip ing.

With batteries having cell covers of the type herein illustrated where a separate vent opening is provided at one side of the filling opening, it is necessary to close the vent opening before the battery can be filled. According to the provisions of the present invention, this is accomplished by cylindrically shaped, sponge rubber members 50, see Fig. 6, one for each of the vent openings. The sponge rubber members 50 illustrated have an impervious soft rubber sheet 5| on their lower ends which seals the vent holes |3 in the battery members 50 are secured in Celluloid cups 52 fixed to the nozzleassemblies through the medium of bolts provided with wing nuts 54 which bolts project through elongated slots 55 in horizontalmembers 56 of the nozzle assemblies. The elongated slots 55 permit horizontal adjustment of the members 50 where necessary. v

In the preferred embodiment of the invention herein illustrated and described, the seals 41 constitute the means for determining the vertical position of the filler head set upon the battery and in turn the level to which the cells are filled, but it is to be understood that if desired the means for sealing the vent openings H, which means comprises the sponge rubber members 50, may be employed to determine the vertical position of the filler head relative to the battery, or both the seals 41 and the members 50 may be employed to perform this function. In this event the cylindrical members 50 are preferably made of more rigid material than sponge rubber but of material which has sufficient flexibility to assure that the vent openings are sealed and to compensate for slight irregularities in the covers. Different length cylinders may be employed to obtain diiferent liquid heights and when used with batteries having the old type cover, that is covers not having vent openings separate and apart from the filling openings, the lower end of the members merely rest upon the cell covers.

As previously stated, the various parts of the body and nozzle assemblies are preferably made of transparent material such as Celluloid, thus permitting the operator to observe the filling operation and to quickly locate any obstructions in the different chambers, etc. The body portion and the nozzle assemblies are also preferably made of preformed members fastened together in a suitable manner. This minimizes the possibility of cracks, etc. The filler head set herein shown and described is adapted for .The upper ends of the soft rubber openings and support said frame on the battery I said frame on the'battery to' befilled'; said frame having a vent opening adjacent said handle v v nozzles having a plurality of passageways therehaving a plurality of chambers" therein, m'eans for connecting one of said chambers with a chambers with, a liquid supply, said frame comprising-nozzles adapted to be inserted into the use with a three-cell battery but it is to be understood that the present invention is applicable to filler head sets for use with batteries having any number of cells.

From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent that the objects of the invention heretofore enumerated have been accomplished and that a filler head set has been provided which will perfectly fill a battery in a single operation irrespective of the type of cell cover or the spacing of the filling openings, etc. While the invention has been described in considerable detail, I do not wish to be limited to the particular construction shown which may be varied within the scope of this invention and it is my intention to cover hereby all adaptations, modifications and arrangements thereof which come within the practice of those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, and I particularly point out and claim as my invention the following.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. A multi-cell battery filling head comprising a frame including a handle and having a plurality of chambers therein, means for connecting one of said chambers to a vacuum, means for connecting another of said chambers with a liquid supply, said frame comprising nozzles adapted to be projected through the filler open; ings of the cells of the battery and having a plurality of passageways therethrough communieating with said chambers, resilient seals carried by said nozzle adapted to close said filler to be filled, and resilient means separate from said seals for supporting said frame on the battery to be filled, said frame having a vent opening adjacent to said handle communicating with, one of said chambers. g

2. A multi-cell battery filling head comprising a frame including a handle and having a pluralityof chambers therein means for connect- 1 ing one of said chambers to a vacuum, means for connecting another of said chambers with a liquid supply, a plurality of nozzle assemblies, connected to said frame, each of said nozzle assemblies comprising a nozzle adapted to be projected through the filler opening of one of the 3 cells of the battery and having a plurality of said chambers, means for adjusting said. nozzle assemblies relatively .towarclsv andf from each other, and resilientseals carried by said nozzle's;

for closing said filler openingjand'for supporting communicating with Lorie of said chambers.

3. In a device for filling 'multi-c'ell batteries having separatefiller openings and vent openings, the combination of a frame or member vacuuin, means-for connecting'anotheg offlsaid battery cells through the filler openings and having a plurality of passageways therein communicating with said chambers, resilient-seals carried by said nozzles adapted to close said filler openings, and resilient means carried by, said frame for closing the vent openings of the battery cells. I

ings, the combination of a frame comprising a'.

' uumpmeans fforconnecting another of said 50 passageways therethrough commumcatmg w th a ing one of said chambers with a vacuum, means for connecting another of said chambers with a "liquid supply, a plurality of nozzle assemblies handle and having a plurality of chambers therein, means for connecting one of said chambers with a vacuum, means for connecting another of saidchambers with a liquid supply, said frame comprising nozzles adapted to be inserted into the battery cells through the filler openings and having a plurality of passageways therein communicating with said chambers, resilient seals carried by said nozzles adapted to' close said filler openings, and resilient means carried by said frame adapted to close the vent openings of the battery cells and support said frame on the battery.

5. In a device for filling multi-cell batteries having separate filler openings and vent openings, the combination of a frame comprising a handle and having a plurality of chambers therein, means for connecting one of said chambers with a vacuum, means for connecting another of said chambers with a liquid supply, said frame 1 comprising nozzles adapted to be inserted into the battery cells through the filler openings and having a plurality of passageways therein communicating with said chambers, resilient seals carried vby said nozzles adapted to close said filler openings, and resilient means carried by said frame adapted to close the vent openings of the battery cells, said frame having a vent opening adjacentsaid handle communicating with one of said chambers.

.6. In a device for filling multi-cellbatteries having separate filler openings and vent openings, the combination of a frame or member having a plurality of chambers therein, means for connecting oneof said chambers with a vacchambers: with ;a'flliq'uid supply, a plurality of nozzle. assemblies connected to said frame, each of I said inozzle assemblies comprising a nozzle adapted to be inserted-into a cell of the battery,

each of said 'njo'zzleshaying a plurality of passageways chambers; resilient seals carried by said nozzles adaptedto closesaidfiller openings, and resilient means carried by said frame for closing the vent openings of the" battery cells.

therein communicating with said #7.:In 'a device forfilling multi-cell batteries "having separate-filler openings and vent open- -ings, thecombination of a frame having a plurality of chambers therein, means for connectconnected to said frame, eachof said nozzle assemblies comprising a nozzle adapted to be inserted into a cell of the battery, each of said in communicating with said chambers, means for adjusting said nozzle assemblies relatively towards and from each other, resilient seals carried by said nozzles adapted to close said filler openings, members carried by said frame adapted to close the vent openings of the battery, and

'means for adjusting said members relative to frame, each of said nozzle assemblies comprising a nozzle adapted to be inserted into a cell of the battery, each of said nozzles having a plurality of passageways therein communicating with said chambers, means for adjusting said nozzle '95- semblies relatively towards and from each other, resilient seals carried by said nozzles adapted to close said filler openings, resilient members carried by said frame adapted to close the vent openings of the battery, and means for adjusting said members relative to said nozzles, said frame having a vent opening adjacent said handle and communicating with one of said chambers.

FRANK ALTMAYER. 

